WHAT IS A TENANCY DEPOSIT CLAIM?
If your landlord didn't protect your deposit, the law is on your side.
When you pay a deposit on an assured shorthold tenancy, your landlord must protect it in a government-backed scheme within 30 days of receiving it, and give you the prescribed information that tells you where it's held and how to get it back. This isn't optional or a technicality — it's a legal duty under the Housing Act 2004, and far too many landlords either forget it, ignore it, or get it wrong.
If that duty wasn't met, you may have a strong tenancy deposit claim. Our tenant housing team can check your tenancy in minutes and tell you where you stand. You can also read the rules yourself on the government's tenancy deposit protection pages.
What you can claim for
Unprotected deposit
Your landlord took your deposit but never put it in an authorised scheme. This is one of the most common breaches we see, and it can entitle you to a substantial penalty on top of your money back.
Late protection
The deposit was protected, but well after the 30-day deadline. A late registration still counts as a breach, and you may be owed compensation even if the money was eventually secured.
No prescribed information
Even where the deposit is protected, your landlord must give you specific written details within 30 days. Miss this step and the penalty rules can still apply, just as if the deposit had never been protected.
1x to 3x penalty
Where the rules are broken, a court can order your landlord to pay you between one and three times the deposit. The amount depends on how serious the breach was and how the court views your landlord's conduct.
Your deposit returned
Alongside any penalty, we'll pursue the return of the deposit itself where it's still being withheld, so you're not left chasing your own money.
Unfair deductions
Landlords can only keep part of your deposit for genuine, evidenced losses. We challenge inflated cleaning bills, wear-and-tear charges and made-up damage to get back what's rightfully yours.
You may have a claim if…
You rented under an assured shorthold tenancy (the standard private tenancy in England & Wales)
Your deposit was never protected, was protected late, or you weren't given the prescribed information
You paid the deposit within the last six years (the usual time limit for these claims — a solicitor should confirm the dates that apply to you)
You're a private tenant or recent former tenant, whether you've moved out or not
How your claim works
01
Free consultation
Tell us about your tenancy on a free, no-obligation call. We'll listen, explain your options in plain English and tell you honestly whether you have a claim worth pursuing.
02
We check your tenancy
We review your tenancy agreement, deposit paperwork and scheme records to pin down exactly what your landlord did or didn't do, and how much you could be owed.
03
We pursue your landlord
We put your case to the landlord and, where needed, take it to court on your behalf. You won't have to face awkward conversations or legal jargon alone.
04
You're compensated
Once your claim succeeds, you receive your deposit and any penalty awarded. With No Win No Fee, you only pay us if we win.
Tenancy deposit claim FAQs
What is tenancy deposit protection?+
Under the Housing Act 2004, any deposit taken on an assured shorthold tenancy must be placed in a government-authorised scheme — the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), MyDeposits or the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) — within 30 days. The scheme keeps your money safe and provides free dispute resolution if there's a disagreement at the end of the tenancy.
How much can I claim?+
If the rules were broken, a court can order your landlord to return the deposit and pay you a penalty of between one and three times its value. So on a £1,200 deposit, that could mean up to £3,600 on top of getting your money back. Figures are illustrative — the actual award depends on your circumstances and the court's view.
Can I claim after my tenancy ended?+
Yes, in many cases you can. These claims are often still possible after you've moved out, and there's a time limit (usually six years from when the deposit was paid). It's well worth getting your tenancy checked even if you left months or years ago — a solicitor can confirm whether you're still in time.
Is it No Win No Fee?+
Yes. We take tenancy deposit claims on a No Win No Fee basis, so there's nothing to pay upfront and no fee at all if your claim doesn't succeed. We'll explain exactly how any success fee works before you commit, so there are no surprises.
What is prescribed information?+
Prescribed information is the set of written details your landlord must give you within 30 days of taking your deposit — including which scheme protects it, the deposit amount, the property address, and how to get the money back or raise a dispute. Failing to provide it correctly is a breach in its own right, even if the deposit itself was protected.
Will it affect my reference or future renting?+
No. Enforcing your legal rights over a deposit doesn't go on any tenant blacklist or credit file, and a landlord can't lawfully punish you for it. Plenty of tenants worry about this, but claiming what you're owed simply won't follow you to your next home.
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